ESA seeks 10B euro space independence investment; warns of dependency cost

ESA estimates 10 billion euros over ten years for autonomous space access, framing it as a strategic choice between independence and dependency. The agency warns that relying on foreign launch providers would cost 5 billion euros over the same period, highlighting a geopolitical dimension to European space policy. The proposal is presented to European space ministers, but no commitment has been made, leaving the funding decision uncertain.